United Airlines to launch free in-flight movie streaming

United Airlines is launching an in-flight streaming option for mobile devices. (Nadezhda1906/shutterstock.com)

United Airlines is set to launch a new service next month that will allow iPhone and iPad users to watch hundreds of movies and TV shows on their portable devices for free.

The U.S.-based carrier will be rolling out new personal device entertainment systems on select aircraft that will sync to iOS 7, allowing Apple consumers to choose from 150 movies and 200 TV shows and watch them in-flight, for free.

The new service will roll out next month and is expected to be installed on most aircraft serving domestic routes by the end of 2014.

To use, flyers using mobile devices must first download the United app. Laptops don't need the app.

German carrier Lufthansa also recently announced plans to launch a new service this summer that will allow passengers to watch films and order drinks via their smartphones and tablets.

After downloading a free app, flyers can wirelessly stream in-flight movies onto their mobile devices, pre-order a vegetarian meal or flag down a flight attendant for a drink without having to wait for one to glide by.

Similar services are already available on Virgin Australia and El Al Airlines.

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